I Knew This Was a Mistake. I Did It Anyway.

Since the beauty of Tasmania changed my husband, Eric, into a trail builder, I had to go on an adventure alone. The Tasmanian Trail spans 480 kilometres from the north to the south of the island. I took my heavy enduro bike and the only helmet I have, which is a fullface, and I was ready for an adventure! I came across so many challenges during the 10-day bikepacking trip. Could I complete one of the most challenging trails in Australia?
❤️️Support me on Patreon❤️️
→yukapatreon.com
❤️️Support Eric on Patreon❤️️
→bcpatreon.com
😎Eric's channel😎
BCpov→ / bcpov
🔥Van Girl Yuka Stickers and more🔥
→bit.ly/VanGirlY...
🌸My Instagram🌸
→ / vangirlyuka
🌳My facebook page🌳
→ / van-girl-yuka-30562007...
🍁Follow me on Strava! 🍁
→ / strava
🚲Trail Info🚲
→www.tasmaniant...
→bikepacking.co...
My gear
Blackburn Outpost Elite Handlebar Roll and Dry Bike Bag→amzn.to/3UiDVh3
Blackburn Outpost Elite Universal Seat Pack and Dry Bike Bag→amzn.to/3KJsuLV

[@ZagelMedia]

When she let her bike fall over on the gravel downhill and started picking the berries was hilarious! This was quite the adventure and a testament of willpower! What a trip!

[@MrHawkis]

No matter how it's done, you achieved a huge feat and a very difficult adventure! Not many people these days are willing to put themselves through this type of discomfort and also call it fun. Awesome video Yuka, you're tough as nails!

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

“No matter how it’s done”? It’s not worth risking your life for adventure no matter how “awesome”.

[@perspectivedetective2703]

@@CANControlGRAFFITI You should cut out the cataract that blinds. If you have to ask why. You should have jumped.

[@MrHawkis]

@@CANControlGRAFFITI Well I agree with you that you shouldn’t kill yourself, but I was making a comment about her bike and bag situation being less than adequate. She made it work!

[@TheHatipov]

@@CANControlGRAFFITI a lot of outdoor activities put your life at risks it’s just about making sure you have the proper plans in place in case something goes wrong

[@bigtdawg8356]

Most of us can’t afford to go to another country just to ride so let’s put some perspective on this lol wealthy Japanese appear to be able to do these things. I’d do it on a show string but then again riding in Switzerland all one needs is bread and cheese! Keep the mountain biking!

[@NigelMarston]

One of the most delightful commentaries on a bike adventure I've ever heard. You are such a lovely positive person.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

This is great! We shared it on our weekly Debrief roundup

[@jtarazoff]

I love Yuka's sunny disposition in the face of challenges that make us want to cry.

[@CantTalkImRiding]

I've watched a bunch of bikepacking videos, and most are by people who are pretty hardcore. Watching your video makes these long trips look more feasible for people like me that get intimidated by the long days. The times you came short on your goal and kept up a good attitude is great to watch. You made it all look more fun, feasible, but manageable, unlike other videos that make it look like you have to keep mashing miles and have everything super dialed.

[@VanGirlYuka]

We must have fun first 👍 and having something looking forward like pizza helped 🍕

[@YING7777]

You’re ballzy for riding that trail by yourself! Mad props!

[@brentcollins9727]

Did anyone else smile for 27 minutes straight? Yuka is so amazing!

[@firefoxturbo]

No

[@mr.e0311]

Smiled like an idiot... not you, me!

[@arnicus208]

Her voice and narration, shear enjoyment and a pleasure to listen to more than once.

[@OmniTierra]

2:34 you’re only one hour into the journey and I am only 2 1/2 minutes into your video and I’m already so psyched for you. It’s awesome that you did this with The Gear that you have. So many people and so many companies are so fixated on just selling more and more stuff. ERIC is a lucky man. Your energy is awesome.

[@jywong197]

She, herself is an inspiration. Her positivity is an inspiration. Thank you

[@saywhaatnow]

Brilliant video!!! You captured the highs and lows of bike touring so well!! Beautifully done. Thank you!

[@fivetool]

I just love coming along for your adventures, Yuka. I love your positive spirit and your sense of humor.

[@espem88]

Your determination to push yourself is admirable. It's a great example for us women to follow and I appreciate that you show the good, bad, and ugly. Not everything in life goes according to plan and you were able to adjust and overcome obstacles along the way that so many people would have just given up. I commend you on this wonderful, difficult adventure! You're a true inspiration!

[@smefour]

Great example for us men as well :)

[@Team81MTB]

Whew!! I'm soooo glad that you didn't run into any snakes or river crossings. 🤣 But seriously, you're determination is off the charts!! That was a truly hellish trail and you finished it with a smile still on your face. Awesome job Yuka! Much respect! 👍👊

[@lukenukem1164]

Love this, your positivity and attitude is infectious.

[@zer0bytes2000]

Your perseverance and attitude when faced with all the difficult situations is amazing and inspiring! Thank You Yuka

[@damianhla4940]

Yuka san, i recommend using the Topeak Tetrarack M2 (front and rear). I have these mounted on my Trek Rail 7 full suspension eMTB. Works great and doesn't interfere with the suspension. 😊 We have been doing similar trips like yours without issues. We use the pannier bags MTX EXP as well. Good design. You just need to make sure the lock does not unhook. We latch it down with extra strap. For better comfort you can consider towing an offroad trailer. With suspension they cope surprisingly well. Also if you are crossing rivers frequently, for waist level crossing you can get a waterproof fishing waders pants and boots. It is easy to slip on and will keep you dry and warm.

[@Negrus2006]

Yuka, you have great spirit that helped you go through this amazing journey! Much respect to you and wish you more adventures! Looking forward to watching more videos!

[@zedddddful]

That's totally the wrong bike for that trip lol you're grit and determination however were spot on 😂

[@manalotomanaloto]

So humble yet so AWESOME!! Thank you for sharing, for being so positive, and always inspiring.

[@dheath3697]

Just can't believe what I just watched, that's far more brutal than I could have imagined, the whole video I'm just watching in amazement and awe of your determination and grit, I could never do something like this, Yuka is truly special.

[@amiel4614]

Your solo adventure are fun to watch. You are brave!

[@rivers8517]

Truly epic video! I love your channel. you are one of the only mountainlike channels I sub to because you mix a vlog with mountain biking, also gear reviews, and comedy. Keep of the great work.

[@marianaruggeri1241]

Well done!!! As a bikepacker I know how hard this was, congratulations. Can’t wait to check out your next adventure.

[@Petermcpete]

Great video Yuka. Your spirit always makes me smile. What an incredible achievement.

[@RBKRoggen]

This was so uplifting and inspiring! And you managed to make it event funny and so pleasant to watch. Just discovered your channel and from now on I am so happy to follow your adventures! Love your content! Thank you! And congrats for this amazing trail you did! 🎉🎉🎉 It was truly a challenge 😯

[@DAZLIN6]

Wow well done what an epic adventure, thanks for taking us along 😊

[@martinschwartz7342]

thanks for another excellent adventure video. You did very well on your first multi-day adventure. You have what it takes to do whatever you set your mind to do.

[@WesMacaulay]

Hell of a journey! Well done and thanks for the inspiration! You and Eric have been making great content down there!

[@ZaniniGabriele]

Yuka i'm really impressed about your power, energy and on how much is strong your mind, this is a journey that a day i will try to do, take ten importants things and start a trip of multiple days on my bike, but i know that my body have not all that power and know i'm dreaming with this video, you're the best 💪🏻 love from italy 👋🏻

[@richr7604]

Great ride Yuka! Thanks for sharing your epic journey! You never cease to amaze me with your determination in overcoming difficulties in your path. Thank you again!!

[@ar110sp]

appreciated to see someone enjoy the trip so much ~

[@nathan.4130]

Wow, that was an amazing adventure. Congratulations on going the whole distance. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@73megalith]

A grand effort Yuka, dealing with challanges like a champ 😀 that trail looks hard , sceanic and rewarding 🤙

[@ScottTeuber]

Super human effort to not breakdown and give up! Really impressed by your accomplishment.

[@salkjshaweoiuenvohvr]

KZbin recommended me this video so I was not sure what to expect. I'm so glad I did! It's the perfect start to my Friday morning. 😁 Thank you for sharing such an amazing journey!

[@magruderable]

You're such an amazing person Yuka. I wish I had half your skill and sense of adventure. Thanks so much for the great videos, it helps so much with my life.

[@VanGirlYuka]

I’m not sure about skill🤣 but if you say making a bad day a good day is a skill, I have it 👍

[@orcinusvox5107]

so humble too! :)

[@Tanstaafl1976]

Great job, Yuka! You are quite the gusty bikepacker! You are my new hero because I would love to complete a bikepacking tour like this one! Congratulations! 🤜🤛

[@VanGirlYuka]

I want to do something like this more! It was fun ✨

[@trailjockeytj6160]

You are a tough little bugger! Kudos, and major props to that adventure!

[@WUmatoWU]

big respect from Slovakia,your solo missions are perfect

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

This one was a bit sketchy

[@kennybicar528]

I can feel the struggle. but it was blast to watch. thank you for taking us on this trip! ride safe!

[@justsayin3600]

I gota say, I have respect for you doing this ride solo. That's really impressive.

[@trent3727]

This was a smashing tourist video. Loved it. So much fun.

[@garyoneill8868]

Awesome video Yuka. A great effort doing that trip too, especially solo.

[@pauldoyle2554]

Of all the videos you have made, I enjoyed this one the most. Well Done!!!

[@Adventuregirl96]

That was an amazing adventure and you did it on an Enduro bike, what an amazing accomplishment.

[@justsayin3600]

The fact she did that on an enduro mtb is hard core. I hate riding xc and green trails on an enduro. It's like I'm pedaling/ putting work in that's 30-50% harder. Damn.

[@RomanoCortesJorge]

I hope you can go on more bikepacking adventures after having learned from this experience. Keep on inspiring.

[@newenglandagingrider1738]

Your perseverance and positive attitude are very inspirational. Great video.

[@drmoynihan]

Absolutely FANTASTIC!!! Rt Shoulder ROTATOR CUFF SURGERY yesterday from Southern Thailand Singletrack - I know you understand Yuka, except I am 71yrs and hate sitting!!!!! BUT I am enjoying your crazyness! 🤪

[@daveh.7580]

Amazing! What an adventure. Nice work Yuka, looks like that took a helluva an effort.

[@hammeredironworks7788]

Well done! What an exciting adventure and video documentation!

[@jamesdiston4352]

I doff my cap to you for your tenacity, skill and good humour. Thank you for sharing your experience 👍

[@tygastfield613]

Another great video! Thank you for taking us on your adventures.

[@VeloObscura]

We rode the Tassie Trail a couple of years ago while cycling around Australia and had a great time. Unfortunately we didn't get to ride the singletrack, but stopped in at Derby on our way back to Devonport. We also didn't take the goat track up to the Plateau like you did and went up the road from Poatina, which was really peaceful with very little traffic. Great work making it though there - it's got a reputation! You can get the keys to those locked gates from the Trail association, but you need to return them back to where you got them from or lose the hefty deposit that you left for them. We didn't know if we were going to be able to get back there on our tour, so we didn't get the keys either. There are many times on a long tour where all the panniers need to come off the bike in order to pass a gate etc... 😅 That Tassie weather can be unforgiving! Thankfully we were luckier than you and managed to be indoors for the couple of storms that came through during our time there. We made some videos about it too, but they aren't as dramatic as yours! Fantastic work! p.s. That bird was a Kookaburra 😁

[@footprintsandtyretracks]

This is the best video I’ve seen of the Tassie trail. Glad you made it out alive!

[@SoCalChoppas]

Thank you Yuka for sharing the awesome adventure! Love it all!

[@seratide]

This video was incredible :) Gave me so many good memories of my ride on this trail back in 2019, thanks for sharing !

[@joebarber5589]

Thank you for taking us in your journeys that was awesome

[@annnastephanie]

this was amazing i just kept cheering you on!!

[@shred-hermtb9113]

Yuka-n do it!! No matter how big the challenge is you seem to plow through it !! You are an inspiration 🙏 Great work Yuka ❤

[@brenomate8185]

Great work Yuka - very well done. That Horrendous climb that you endured was the result of some horrendous weather we had last year - it washed roads away in that area, so no surprise that the track you took was in bad shape. But it did give you an interesting story to tell

[@stevematthews4092]

What a courageous & spirited woman. More power to you. May the road ahead continue to be exciting, wild & adventurous & always be completed with your safe passage home.

[@nega9000]

Way to go Yuka! That was incredible, some serious grit you got there!

[@CaliradoKid]

Fantastic storytelling as always! Looks like a mighty adventure. Glad you took the time to document it!

[@VanGirlYuka]

I didn't enjoy the climbing, so when I got bored of it, I filmed. I guess there was only climbing on the journey LOL

[@RaymondOlgado0]

Subscribed! This made me realize that ordinary people like me can do this. You are an inspiration!

[@VanGirlYuka]

We can do it 😁👍

[@michaelfleming4015]

What an amazing adventure! On your own accross the Tasman outback. Wow! Hooray for the shower. It occurred to me that when you camped under the overhang “cave”, you were at a spot that people may have used for 30K years. Your unpacking to go uphill made sense. It reminded me of my Grandfather’s story of the Chilkoot Pass and the Golden Steps up to the Klondike in 1898. Each prospector had to have 2,000 lbs. of supplies. To get up the steps and over the pass, all of it had to be broken up into 40 lb. Packs, up and down until everything was at the top. Fortunately there was a snow slide to get back down each trip. I greatly respect your effort. Thanks for taking us along.

[@nondrop]

Wow, you have so much grit and determination, Well done Yuka

[@terrancematthews4416]

Eric has a jewel 💎 in Yuka don’t know any Woman that would attempt this let along complete this journey. Love the channel and the heart with the lessons learned. Thanks

[@rlh347]

Great adventure Yuka!. Your determination to push forward is inspiring 👍🏽💪🏽

[@johnpayne2465]

What a wonderful experience. Thank you for sharing it with us!

[@betterthannotgoodmtb]

What a great adventure! Glad you pushed through! Way to go! 👏👏

[@carla5288]

My farm is along the Tasmanian Trail (which is how I found this video). I enjoyed watching this so much! I love your determination and also your sense of humour!

[@chris.s1678]

This is such a great adventure Yuka!! 😅😊 i love the animal noises, singing back to the kookaburra made me laugh! So many snags along the way, that trail is definitely not for the faint of heart

[@jaykim6412]

Yuka- one of the best videos I have ever seen. You are such a badazz taking on that mission like it was a walk in the park. I hope Eric knows how lucky he is and stay awesome girl---

[@artofdisguy3401]

What an adventure!! Yuka keep smiling and enjoying life

[@markalarcon1366]

well done yuka! thanks for sharing your amazing adventure!

[@THESEGMENTPR]

wow!!! What an adventure. You are so brave !!! great to see you accomplish this amazing trail. Thank you for taking the time to take us along !! So good !!

[@flowstateofmind]

I thought of going bikepacking but I also wouldn't be able to resist any good trails. You sure had a lot of patience with so many obstacles!

[@VanGirlYuka]

Bikepacking is definitely different kind of riding. Some people say it’s a lifestyle and I kind of agree.

[@jeshely]

Wow. That was impressive. I’m not even ready for half of that.

[@willienillie6337]

Falling into the blackberry bush with ready to eat berries was a plus..lol. You have spirit and will.

[@markwalsh4882]

as per usual, your videos have inspired me to do more. i mountain bike ride in central Australia and enjoyed ur vids for years. this makes me wanna explore even more of my country. wish u guys come to alice springs and ride our trails here

[@hb.8188]

Amazing - I would have had to do enough with the trip and the conditions- to have the energy to film this all by yourself outstanding.

[@brendan1]

Wow! What an adventure Yuka! That's so amazing. I really enjoyed watching your video. This may be the longest one you've made so far! Well done!

Thanks for sharing. That was beautiful and inspiring.

[@bullet24698]

LOL that "i shouldve just rented the bike while looking at the camera @ 8:48 really got me

[@ericsharp5079]

Congratulations! That is an incredible journey! You have so much grit and determination! It’s truly inspiring!

[@Aboycostelo]

This are the experiences that lovely stick to you for life! It was awesome!!

[@motortrack7903]

Your grit and determination is fantastic, such a triumph well done

[@rottieshepcalibre9156]

That was fun... I hope u do more. You proved that whatever bike u have just get out there and ride.

[@alfalfir4928]

Amazing! 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿That looked so hard.

[@randomname794]

Amazing,Yuka! What a wonderful adventure!

[@kbeightyseven1783]

Yuma, you are such an inspiration, I wish I could adventure like you do!!

[@WadeMade]

Love your stuff Yuka! Been watching for years. These little adventures are really fun to see. I would love to see an adventure motorcycle ride in the future. I know that's not what this channel is really about but I think you guys would really be good at it.

[@NWTrailSeries]

This is your greatest video yet Yuka! Incredible work!

[@AviationPhotog]

Amazing work Yuka, love that never give up attitude

[@brucethomas4196]

Thanks for sharing, that was fun!🎉

[@ScoobyDo2009]

This was one of your best videos! I really hope you do more of these! It's super-fun to watch!

[@aaronwhiting7725]

Determination, perseverance, IMPRESSIVE! Congratulations on your accomplishment here!!!🎉

[@frontiersenior5345]

Way to go!! Keep up the great videos, too. I so enjoyed watching this adventure!💞